The short answer
For one shop, Square is the low-cost start: $0 software and 2.6% + 15¢ per tap. For several stores, look for stock transfers and returns across locations: Square does both, with paid plans at $49 or $149 per location, and Shopify POS Pro adds $89 per location. Pick by inventory, not by brand.
What Features Does a Retail POS Need?
Start from what the shop does all day.
- Inventory by variant, so each size and color is its own count.
- One stock count shared between the store and the online shop.
- Returns and exchanges, ideally at any location.
- Staff logins and sales by employee.
- Customer records, for loyalty and repeat buyers.
Which POS Works Best for Multiple Stores?
Check two things first: can stock move between stores, and can a customer return anywhere. Square says its retail system lets you "accept returns at any location, regardless of where the purchase was made," and "create and track inventory transfers across locations." A Square account supports up to 300 locations.
Shopify advertises "a centralized back office that supports 1,000+ locations," with POS Pro adding staff, inventory and customer tools "at select locations." Lightspeed builds multi-store plans as a custom quote.
How Do Square, Shopify and Lightspeed Compare on Price?
From each vendor's pricing page, October 2026. Square invites retailers processing "over $250,000 per year" to ask about custom pricing.
| System | Software | In-person card rate |
|---|---|---|
| Square | $0, $49 or $149 per location a month | 2.6%, 2.5% or 2.4% + 15¢ by plan |
| Shopify POS | Plans from $39 a month; POS Pro $89 per location, billed yearly | From 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Lightspeed Retail | $89 to $289 a month billed yearly ($109 to $339 monthly) | Through Lightspeed Payments |
Where Does Clover Fit?
BatchOut also sets up Clover for shops that want dedicated counter hardware. Get any Clover quote in writing and compare it on effective rate and total monthly cost, not on the hardware price.
How Should a Shop Choose?
Start from inventory. A boutique with sizes and colors needs real variant tracking and one count for store and site. A multi-store chain needs transfers and returns anywhere. Then compare total cost: software per location, hardware, and processing on your real volume, which usually costs the most. See how much a POS system costs.
BatchOut sets up and supports Square and Clover, and does not make its own POS. Batch is an authorized Square reseller, part of a closed network sales group only for ISOs that Square selects. See the retail boutique setup.
Commonly Asked Questions
What is the cheapest POS for a small retail store?
Square's free plan has $0 monthly software and charges 2.6% + 15¢ per in-person sale, which makes it the lowest-cost start for one store.
Which POS is best for multiple retail locations?
Look for inventory transfers and returns at any location. Square supports both and up to 300 locations per account; Shopify advertises support for 1,000+ locations with POS Pro at $89 per location billed yearly.
Does Square charge per location?
On its paid plans, yes. Square says the Plus and Premium monthly fee applies to each location you run.
Does BatchOut make its own POS?
No. BatchOut sets up and supports systems such as Square and Clover, matched to the business.
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